Leaning like the Whomping Willow from the Harry Potter series, this Salvadora tree in the Qutub Minar complex, gives the minaret quite the fight for attention. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

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Then there's the iconic Banyan tree in the NSD campus in Delhi, and another that has its trunk and roots located under the main floor. The environment built around it shows the love for its presence inside the campus. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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This enormous Pilkhan tree stands tall amid the ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla. A strangler fig with roots that bend backward to envelop the branches, this is one of the city’s most beautiful trees. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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This majestic ficus religiosa, a tree native to the Indian subcontinent, known more commonly as the Peepal in the gardens of the Hauz Khas madarsa. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

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The sprawling and Semal tree on the front lawn of Teen Murti Bhavan, former residence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru finds favour with everyone who visits the museum and library even today. When in full bloom, bright red flowers occupy it, making it, arguably, Delhi's most beautiful springtime offering. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

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This Khirni tree, which is believed to have been planted by the Sufi saint Hazrat Naseeruddin Mahmud Roshan Chirag Dilli himself before the Chirag Dilli dargah was built in 1356 AD, is rumoured to be the oldest tree in the capital at about 662 years. The tree continues to be as historic as the shrine itself. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

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Recognized as one of eighteen 'Natural Heritage' trees in the city and at over a hundred years old, the deciduous Imli tree in the Hauz Khas village monuments compound is a fine attraction in itself. (Burhaan Kinu / HT Photo)

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The handsome, evergreen Ashoka tree at Rajghat. Prized for its beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers that profuse extensively from February to May, the tree holds significance for its medicinal value, with all parts of the tree including the bark, leaves, flowers and seeds used in various ayurvedic medicines. (Raj K Raj / HT Photo)

about the gallery

How could a sapling replace a grown-up tree, the Delhi high court on Wednesday asked while observing that felling over 16,500 trees to build multi-storey accommodation for proposed redevelopment of six South Delhi colonies was akin to leaving the city to die from the same trees that have stood tall for years and made the air we inhale, breathable. As the movement against this housing project evolves and residents take to the streets in protest, HT brings to you Delhi’s old, iconic trees, reminding everyone why the city needs its lungs more than ever before.